Burglar jailed for five years

A 58-year-old man who carried out a string of burglaries has been jailed for five years and four months.

Peter Barber stole jewellery and other items when he raided a house in Devizes during the first week of July.

The man, who has 11 convictions for house burglary in a long history of crime, also struck at houses in Bradford on Avon and Bath, along with 22 other break-ins.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court he was caught after carrying out another break- in at a house in Bradford on Avon. She said in that raid he smashed a back window at the house, leaving traces of blood at the scene, which were traced back to him.

Officers then went to his home and found items which had been taken in the offence in Greenfield Road, Devizes between June 30 and July 10.

In all of the raids, one of which he carried out by firing ball bearings through a window, he took jewellery and other household items.

Barber, of Pontlliw, Swan-sea, admitted three counts of burglary and asked for 22 further offences to be taken into consideration.

Alex Daymond, defending, said Barber had not been convicted of burglary since 1994 when he was jailed for ten years, and that he had mental health problems.

Following his release from prison he started a relationship with a woman who was a drug addict and they had two children, one of whom was taken into care and the other who died.